U19: India-Australia: Nikhil Kumar brings India home after Enaan magic

Nikhil Kumar showed excellent temperament on his way to an unbeaten half-century under pressure and guided India U-19 to a nervy two-wicket win over Australia U-19 on the third day of their first unofficial four-day game here on Wednesday.

Coming in at No. 7, the left-handed batter remained not out on 55 off 71 balls as India emerged winners in the final hour of the day’s play.

This was after leg-spinner Mohamed Enaan did the spadework and returned excellent figures of 6/79 to bowl out Australia for 214 in their second innings. Australia were 110/4 overnight.

Set a target of 212, a tricky proposition on this surface, India were dealt a massive blow straightaway as Vaibhav Suryavanshi, who flayed the Australian attack to all parts of Chepauk during his stunning 62-ball 104 in the first innings, fell for just one run in the second over.

Australia’s decision to hand the new ball to off-spinner Thomas Brown paid dividends as he had the in-form Suryavanshi caught by wicketkeeper Simon Brown with his second delivery of the innings. Australia found more reasons to cheer when Aidan O’Connor had Vihaan Malhotra caught and bowled for 11 to leave India at 25/2.

A partnership of 71 runs between Nitya Pandya (51 off 86) and KP Karthikeya (36 off 52) pushed India towards a win. However, both Karthikeya and Pandya were trapped in front of the wicket by leg-spinner Vishwa Ramkumar to leave the Indians in a spot of bother. That is when Kumar took charge of the situation.

Brief scores: Australia U19: 293 & 214 (Kingsell 48; Enaan 6/79); India U19: 296 & 214/8 (Nikhil 55*, Pandya 51; O’Connor 4/27, Ramkumar 3/75).